and we cast protection spells together. Nothing difficult, but as we all know, practice and consistency is key.”
“She’s casting spells?” Lucien asks.
“Absolutely. And her Power and strength is coming back beautifully. I still feel horrible that I didn’t know for all of those years that she was a prisoner, and that I didn’t help her sooner. This is the least I can do. And, Millie, your mom is flourishing more every day.”
“Well, that’s wonderful.”
“I’d like to invite her to the ceremony tomorrow night.”
I sit back and stare at Miss Sophia. “You want to take her out of the hospital? Do you think she’s strong enough for that?”
“I do. You’ll know when you see her. She’s not the woman you saw even two weeks ago. She’s certainly healthy enough to join us in the circle.”
“Well, if you think it’s okay, I’m for it,” I agree, surprising even myself. “Brielle, Cash, and Daphne are coming, as well.”
“Oh, how wonderful,” Miss Sophia says. “That will strengthen your bond, and that will only increase your chances of winning this next battle. I think that’s a great idea.”
“I hadn’t thought of that,” I admit and turn to Lucien. “Did you?”
“Yes.”
“Well, don’t I feel silly?”
“You shouldn’t,” he assures me. “You have a lot on your mind, a stór mo chroí.”
“I love hearing that term of endearment.” Miss Sophia gives us a sappy smile. “Now that we have Ruth settled, there’s another reason I asked you to come. I hope that when you hear this story, you won’t be angry with me for not telling you sooner. I just didn’t feel that the time was right.”
“What is it?” Lucien asks.
“As you know, Lucien, I come from a long line of witches. They predate record, as far as I know. So, the craft is engrained in me. Was since the day I was born. My sister was the same, goddess rest her soul. She died because of her gifts years ago. Because we were taught to use what we were given. To use it for good.”
“That’s one of the things I admire about you,” I admit.
“Millie, you mentioned that you’re beginning to remember bits and pieces from your previous time here. Can you tell me about it?”
“Lucien and I were married and lived in New Orleans, in the home we live in now in the Garden District. He worked at the hospital. I don’t know if I worked.” I frown as I think about it. “I don’t think so. Everything I’ve seen is from after we had the baby. Sabrina.”
Miss Sophia looks at Lucien. “Is that how you remember it?”
“Of course.”
She nods. “Good. You were part of the coven, even back then. And as you know, it’s a small community. So, I’d heard your names mentioned throughout the years.”
“Your family knew ours?” I ask. “This is fascinating.”
“Oh, it’s about to get even more interesting,” Miss Sophia replies. “It’s not just that my family knew yours. It’s that—”
“That you were ours,” Lucien finishes for her.
“What?”
“Sabrina was my grandmother,” Miss Sophia says gently.
I sit back in the chair and stare at the woman I’ve come to love so deeply in the past decade. All this time, I was working with my great-granddaughter?
“I—”
“It’s okay,” Miss Sophia says and covers my hand with hers. She reaches for Lucien’s hand, as well. “I know this is surprising and confusing.
“Lucien, Gwyneth and Aiden, your parents, and their parents before them, have also been a part of the coven for as long as I can remember, and for as long as we have records.”
“How could they have known when I was born, who I am?” he asks.
“They didn’t,” she says. “They loved the name Lucien and gave it to you. And then you began to grow, and the things you knew…well, let’s just say that’s not a coincidence. And then I met Millie as a young girl, and I knew what was happening. Millie, when you came to me as a teenager, so eager to learn, I was very happy because I knew then that destiny had been set into motion. No one thought you’d return so soon. But your bond was—is—incredibly strong. Your love, unshakable. When Lucien died, Millicent was distraught, just a shell of who she once was. And Lucien’s family was happy to take Sabrina, to raise her in the coven and teach her. To ensure that she knew how much her parents cherished her.”
“That’s what I said in the letter,” I whisper.
“There’s a letter?” Miss Sophia asks.
I nod and reach for